Key Lime Pie Cupcakes Recipe

Key Lime Pie Cupcakes Recipe

This Key Lime Pie Cupcakes Recipe is a tangy and creamy recipe, which is made with real Key lime juice and a sweet cream cheese frosting. It’s a fun twist on the classic pie, ready in about 2 hours.

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Key Lime Pie Cupcakes Recipe Ingredients

For the Lime Curd:

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup bottled Key lime juice
  • 1 large egg, plus 1 egg yolk
  • 3 Tbsp. salted butter, cut into pieces and chilled

For the Cupcakes:

  • 1 (15- to 16-ounce) box white cake mix (plus required ingredients like oil and eggs)

For the Frosting:

  • 1 stick salted butter, at room temperature
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 1/4 cup bottled Key lime juice
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • Graham cracker crumbs and thin lime slices, for topping

How To Make Key Lime Pie Cupcakes Recipe

  1. Make the Lime Curd: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together the granulated sugar, lime juice, egg, and egg yolk until the sugar dissolves. Whisking constantly, add the chilled butter, a few pieces at a time, allowing it to melt before adding more. Continue whisking for 3 to 4 minutes until the curd thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Transfer to a small bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, until chilled.
  2. Bake the Cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. Prepare the white cake mix according to the package directions for cupcakes. Bake as directed and let them cool completely on a wire rack.
  3. Whip the Frosting: In a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the room temperature butter, cream cheese, and lime juice on medium-high speed for 3 to 4 minutes, until light and fluffy. Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar, beating until just combined.
  4. Fill and Frost the Cupcakes: Use a paring knife or an apple corer to cut a small hole in the center of each cooled cupcake. Spoon about 1/2 teaspoon of the chilled lime curd into each hole. Spread or pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the frosted cupcakes with graham cracker crumbs and top each one with a thin slice of lime before serving.
Key Lime Pie Cupcakes Recipe
Key Lime Pie Cupcakes Recipe

Recipe Tips

  • How do I make a smooth lime curd? The key is to cook it over low heat and whisk constantly. This prevents the eggs from scrambling and ensures the butter emulsifies smoothly. For an extra-smooth curd, you can strain it through a fine-mesh sieve before chilling.
  • How do I easily core a cupcake? An apple corer is the perfect tool to quickly and neatly remove the center of a cupcake. You can also use the wide end of a large piping tip or a small paring knife.
  • Why is my cream cheese frosting runny? This usually happens if the butter or cream cheese is too soft. They should be at room temperature, but not warm or melty. If your frosting is too thin, you can chill it in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes to help it firm up before frosting the cupcakes.
  • How can I get the most lime flavor? Using bottled Key lime juice is convenient and provides consistent flavor. For an extra punch, you can add a teaspoon of finely grated lime zest to both the curd and the frosting.

What To Serve With Key Lime Pie Cupcakes

These cupcakes are a complete and delightful dessert on their own, perfect for parties and gatherings. They pair nicely with:

  • A cup of hot coffee or black tea
  • A glass of cold milk
  • Iced tea or lemonade

How To Store Key Lime Pie Cupcakes

  • Refrigerate: Because of the cream cheese frosting and curd filling, these cupcakes must be stored in the refrigerator. Place them in an airtight container where they will keep for up to 3 days. It’s best to let them sit at room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving.

Key Lime Pie Cupcakes Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 290 kcal
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Sugar: 35g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

What is the difference between Key limes and regular (Persian) limes?

Key limes are smaller, have a thinner rind, more seeds, and a more aromatic, floral flavor than the larger, more common Persian limes. Bottled Key lime juice is a reliable way to get that authentic flavor.

Can I make the components ahead of time?

Yes. The lime curd can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cupcakes can be baked a day ahead and stored at room temperature in an airtight container before filling and frosting.

Do I have to use a boxed cake mix?

No, you can absolutely use your favorite from-scratch white or vanilla cupcake recipe. A boxed mix is simply used here for convenience and speed.

Try More Recipes:

Key Lime Pie Cupcakes Recipe

Recipe by Marry ThompsonCourse: DessertCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

24

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

25

minutes
Calories

290

kcal

A fun and delicious cupcake version of the classic dessert, featuring a tender white cake, a tangy lime curd filling, and a sweet Key lime cream cheese frosting.

Ingredients

  • Curd: 1/4 cup Key lime juice, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 egg + 1 yolk, 3 Tbsp. butter

  • Cupcakes: 1 box white cake mix

  • Frosting: 1 stick butter, 8 oz. cream cheese, 1/4 cup Key lime juice, 4 cups powdered sugar

  • Garnish: Graham cracker crumbs, lime slices

Directions

  • Make the lime curd by whisking juice, sugar, and eggs in a saucepan; slowly whisk in butter until thick. Chill for 1 hour.
  • Bake 24 white cake mix cupcakes according to package directions and let cool completely.
  • Beat butter, cream cheese, and lime juice until fluffy. Gradually mix in powdered sugar to make the frosting.
  • Core the center of each cupcake and fill with 1/2 tsp of the chilled lime curd.
  • Pipe or spread the frosting on top of the cupcakes.
  • Garnish with graham cracker crumbs and a thin slice of lime.

Notes

  • Make sure the cupcakes are completely cool before filling and frosting to prevent melting.
  • For a true “pie” experience, you can place a small round vanilla wafer at the bottom of each cupcake liner before adding the batter.
  • The cream cheese and butter for the frosting should be at room temperature for the smoothest results.
  • Chilling the curd is essential to ensure it’s thick enough to hold its shape inside the cupcake.

Marry Thompson

Tunisian home cook sharing easy, tested recipes with a Mediterranean touch.

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